During that time, NDUP, the main opposition, faced a difficulties after they lost in 1991 local elections.

Little Democratic Party, a splinter group formed by the dissidents of Kim Young-sam's United Democratic Party, was struggling with its few seats.

He was widely criticised for calling rural voters as "pro-Democratic Liberal Party (DLP; the then ruling party)" and/or "pro-Roh Tae-woo",[3] and lost to DLP's Kim Young-sam.

DJ subsequently resigned his party presidency and retired from the politics.

[7] However, shortly after, DJ officially returned to politics, and conflicts were sparked.